Ford EcoBoost Engines

What is a Ford EcoBoost engine? You might be considering buying a Ford model with an EcoBoost engine, or you might already own a vehicle with this technology and you’re trying to find out exactly what that means. Ford’s EcoBoost engines are a family of turbocharged, direct injected petrol engines; Ford’s answer to getting better gas mileage alongside increased performance. EcoBoost improves fuel economy by as much as 20% plus one huge perk: it costs much less than hybrid and diesel alternatives.

How It Works

Until now, the problem with smaller turbocharged engines was the lack of easily accessed power. This is where the Ecoboost family separates from the pack. Direct injection allows Ecoboost engines to reach maximum torque at daily driving speeds. A high-pressure mechanical fuel pump injects a fuel load directly into the combustion chamber, rather than the intake port, significantly reducing waste. This direct injection system works with the turbocharger to provide an impressive 16 psi of boost. The EcoBoost engines eliminate turbo lag and add power in the low rev range where it’s most needed. In the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 used in the F-150, power is generated via twin independent variable camshaft timing, resulting in greater control of valve actuation to enhance performance and efficiency.

EcoBoost Engine Types and Displacements

1.0 Liter EcoBoost Three-Cylinder

Ford’s 1.0 Liter Ecoboost Three-Cylinder engine, developed at Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre in the UK, is the most innovative Ecoboost yet. The 1.0 Liter comes in 2 power versions creating either 99hp or 123hp. The more powerful version delivers 125lb-ft torque from 1,400 – 4,500 rpm, and 148lb-ft in overboost. No larger than the size of a sheet of printer paper, these engines only weight about 213 pounds. Of the family, this is the only engine that uses a cast iron block instead of aluminum. This makes the engine about 20% heavier than its aluminum counterpart but increases the warm-up rate by 50%, also increasing fuel efficiency. This engine will be a viable option for the Fiesta, Focus, and C-MAX.

EcoBoost Four-Cylinder Engines

Ford now as three four-cylinder EcoBoost engines in production. The 1.6L EcoBoost I4 engine that replaces it’s larger-displacement, naturally aspirated I4 counterpart. The 2.0L EcoBoost I4 engine that replaces it’s smaller-displacement, naturally aspirated V6 counterpart. The third is the all new 1.5L EcoBoost I4 that Ford has just officially announced. Ford will be replacing the Fusion’s 1.6L with the new 1.5L to better compete in a global market with virtually no drop in performance of the vehicle. The 1.6L engine is rated at 180hp and 180lb-ft of torque. The 2.0L can range from 200hp – 252hp and 221lb-ft – 270lb-ft torque. This engine is available in the Explorer, Edge, Escape, Fusion, Taurus, and Focus ST.

3.5L EcoBoost Six-Cylinder

The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is the peak of power and performance for Ford. Using two Honeywell-Garrett GT15 turbos, the engine was designed to deliver power and torque output equivalent to the 6.0L or larger displacement naturally aspirated V8 engines with up to 15% better fuel economy and emissions. This engine delivers 365hp and 350lb-ft torque in the Explorer Sport, Flex, and Taurus SHO @ 5,000 rpm, and 365hp and 420lb-ft torque in the F-150 @ 2,500. Due to the low-end torque, the 3.5L EcoBoost can tow up to 11,300 pounds virtually better than any V8 could hope to, doing it quietly without severely reducing your average mpg.

Where do we see EcoBoost going in the future?

With the success of the EcoBoost engine already so great, Ford plans on extensively using it’s turbocharged, direct-injection technology on almost all of it’s future models. The displacements in the three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines will change in the next few years to better accommodate global markets, and the 3.5L V6 will continue to be used for SUVs and Trucks in the foreseeable future. The 2015 Mustang will see a 2.3L four-cylinder Ecoboost with roughly around 330hp, right in the middle of the current V6 and V8 engines. Our fingers are crossed for an EcoBoost 5.0L V8 someday.

If you’d like to test drive an EcoBoost, or have your heart set on purchasing one, check out our inventory here: Tomsford.com

Zachary Barrett

I enjoyed your article on the Ford Eco Boost engine technology. It appears that Ford and others will likely embrace more of the Eco Boost Engine approach for fuel economy and power. I am now considering the Ford Escape for new purchase, also.

I have a question regarding the warm up time of the 1.6 L turbo in very cold weather (current weather here) with ice on the windshield. An owner friend has the 2014 Escape with this engine, and it is very slow to warm up at startup and only warming up at idle speed. Heater output lags for a long time making the defrosting of the windshield a particular problem with ice cover, in addition to obtaining interior warmth. If you advance the engine RPM higher enough and hold it steady, the warm up time factor is greatly reduced, and the afore-mentioned problem is pretty well resolved. I also wonder if this is a typical problem for other car models that may use this type of engine.

I m concerned whether it is ok to run this turbo assist engine at higher RPMs when it is really cold to get a fast warm up ( He does 30 seconds at idle before going to a higher RPM). Is the higher efficiency of the engine the reason for slow heater output during normal idle warm up?

Any knowledge you may have about this and share is appreciated, or possibly links you may have to learn more.

Takes a bit longer becausw its a aluminum block and aluminum head. Also check the coolant in the reservior and how long does it take to heat up and how cold is it outside? And dont rev up a cold aluminum block when its cold outside you could warp it and damage the turbo because its still cold outside. Never rev up an enging turbo or not. Just let it do its time to get to operating temperature should take about 5 minutes average time to reach 190 degrees.

Morning Zach
I have a new 2014 F150 3.5 ecoboost twin turbo. In the cold morning (45 F) after 20 sec from start up I hear a 1 sec high pitch sound then a thump sound. Then within 3 secs the rpms go from a little above 1000 to al little below 1000 rpms. Otherwise the truck runs fine. In warm weather it does not seem to do this. Any I dea what this noise could be.